Queen Elizabeth thanks PH nurses for 'selfless service'
By Roy Mabasa
Queen Elizabeth II has conveyed her gratitude for the contributions of Filipino nurses in the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom as she expressed her best wishes to the Philippines on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Our ties of friendship and affection are as important today as 75 years ago. We are fortunate to have many nurses from the Philippines in the National Health Service,” the Queen said in a message sent to President Duterte that was coursed through the British Embassy in Manila.
In her brief message, the Queen told Duterte that the presence of Filipino nurses in the United Kingdom “bring exceptional care and comfort to their patients”, especially during the current global health crisis.
“They bring exceptional care and comfort to their patients. I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for their work, especially in response to the coronavirus,” she said.
In closing, Queen Elizabeth expressed her hope that both the UK and the Philippines “may all look forward to better times in the future”.
This was not the first time that the Queen and the Royal British family have acknowledged the contributions of Filipino nurses and health care workers to the welfare of their society, especially during the pandemic.
On January 2 during the New Year honors, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed Filipino nurse Charito Romano with a British Empire Medal for her outstanding work at Arbrook House Care Home in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award to Romano is given to individuals for their “hands on” service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of a relatively short duration that has made a significant difference.
Last month, Prince Charles hailed the Filipino healthcare workers in the United Kingdom, calling them “wonderfully selfless people” in a message to celebrate this year’s 75 anniversary of the UK-Philippines diplomatic ties.
“The bonds of friendship between us are stronger than ever. At a time when we have faced the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus, those links have provided the foundation for us to work together towards a better future,” Prince Charles said in a video message posted by British Embassy in Manila.
Formal diplomatic relations were established between the Philippines and the United Kingdom on July 4, 1946.
On Monday, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth awarded the state-backed National Health Service the George Cross, the highest civilian honor in recognition of health care workers’ service during the pandemic.